Day 5

It’s always a little surprise, yet I don’t know why, that the puzzle pieces come to me and fit perfectly.

This mornings bible scripture. 

https://www.bible.com/app.

The verse implies a type of “surgical”  message as I read this scripture. “The word of God …a … double-edge sword… penetrating and dividing … joints and marrow”.  

I am so grateful for God giving us HIS written word.  It is my strength and my peace all wrapped together as a gift each morning.  

As I woke this morning and felt the cheese grater of anxiety inside me… I began to sing “He touched me..” https://youtu.be/fw41Fw773Ew

Music is the wrapping and bow on God’s Written Word.  Singing actually is a great way to respond to sadness and worry.  Physically as you sing your breathing is controlled. The pace and rhythm of the melody is taken up by every cell in your body. Endorphins are released.   It’s an extremely healthy “response”.  Even just having music playing in the house (love my Sono Speakers)  or in the car (Pandora)  re-centers me (of course, I only listen to music that is uplifting, encouraging praise and worship music).

Ok, I’m lacing up my roller skates, trusting my Heavenly Father to provide and orchestrate the day. 

Off I go…

Ciao

Day 4 at 6am

One Day at a time is really about living in the moment.  How often we waste being present in the moment  because of worry about tomorrow. Being preoccupied with events of the past. I believe it does take self awareness and self discipline to … be our best. That wasn’t an easy sentence to write.  I’ve never ever liked the word discipline. It “feels” so negative.  But, I can swim around in the word self awareness all day long.  Self awareness is about being present in the moment. 

Keeping our thoughts in check.  Isn’t that self awareness? ROLLER SKATE ! I wonder if as a child when roller skating what were the thoughts going through my head. Certainly it wasn’t thoughts of self doubt, or fear or ….wait!  Maybe a little fear of  of being cautions about the cracks in the sidewalk or keeping an eye on the surroundings.  I was panicked around dogs as a child. Listening for cars.. Oh, right and I hated the sound of a motorcycle coming down the street.  That always scared me. Gheeze, I had some childhood fears. Yet, despite the fears and concerns, I’d put on my roller skates and take off excited to feel the wind blowing past my face and tossing my hair.  Oh, I loved the sense of freedom.  Kind of like the wish that I could fly. 

Well, I guess life is still about the same.  I face the day wanting to roller skate through the day. And actually “in my mind” I can.  It only takes keeping my self in check. Where are my thoughts? As I face a task like, ok for instance …. Cleaning the kitchen. I don’t know that’s such a big deal, besides the fact it is a never ending task.  However, to roller skate through it I put on my “Polly Anna” attitude.  And I then am wheeling down the sidewalk with blue skies and the feeling of flying.  It’s easy… I just center my thoughts on grateful praise to God.  Here is what it sounds like.  Thank you God I have a kitchen to clean (there are those who have no home), Thank you God I feel healthy and strong to clean the kitchen (recalling days I’ve been ill ) Thank you God I have dish soap (recalling the day’s I barely had money to buy cleaning products) Thank you God I have food to put away (so many in the world without food for their family) Thank you God I have hot water (Yes, I recall the hot water tank being broken) Thank you God I have dishes … Well you get the point.  There is so much to be grateful for when we center (fix)  our thoughts on “whatsoever things that are good, pure, lovely…”  Philippians 4:8

Oh, the mind is a powerful powerful tool.  And the scriptures remind us that the battle we face each day is fought in our minds. So, putting on the helmet of Salvation is critical to facing the day.  Yes, one day at a time…. ONE THOUGHT AT A TIME. Being aware of “what are we thinking about” what direction our thoughts take us when faced with fear or worry.  

Here I go again…. There is a Sunday school song I loved as a child that I’ll end with.

https://youtu.be/GTGq3lnR14o

🎶“My Mommy told me something, a little girl should know, and it’s all about the devil and I learned to hate him so. She said he causes trouble when you let him in the room and he’ll never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom.  So let the Sunshine in, face it with a grin.  Smilers never lose and frowners never win… So let the Sunshine in face it with a grin, open up your heart and let the “ Son “ shine in”.

😃There is a physiological and psychological reaction in your body when you SMILE * (action of a grateful heart). A chemical message is sent to your brain and endorphins are released. Look it up!

So, I will face today with a Smile and a Grateful heart by facing every task, every fear, every worry that flys at me with words of thanksgiving, praise and gratitude.

Lace Up… I’m facing the day.

Ciao

*https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/06/the-real-health-benefits-of-smiling-and-laughing/

 ...

Day 1

All to often,  I experiencing circumstance and events like being in a storm at sea, kind of  like the disciples experience while Jesus slept, and feeling sick to my stomach and fearful. Mark 4:35-41.      I know that Jesus is with me but I’m still experiencing being tossed around emotionally.  

It is the response that should supersede reaction.  That’s what experience and maturity in Christ should bring.  Responding, not reacting. 

……

Day 2

Ok, seriously I “CAN DO THIS” !  I’m totally living in the moment. There is a squall coming. (I think that is a nautical  term for storm? So dumb that I need to use a term I’m totally unfamiliar with)    I see the signs.  I must keep focused on the destination. No, it’s not about the journey!  It is about the destination.  Without keeping our eyes on the destination we veer off course.  My destination is clear in my mind.  It’s eternity !  My life is but a vapor in eternity (Jame 4:14) so whatever God has planned for me and what ever he “allows” I “CAN DO THIS”!  After all it is my story.  A story where each chapter is another adventure.  Sometimes a chapter may seem  a little mondane and boring, but that’s ok. I need those respite times. This current chapter has the makings of a nail bitting cliff hanging…. WAIT a MINUTE! Nope, there will be no cliff hanging or nail bitting, because I serve a great and powerful God, who by the way is my Heavenly Father.  And scripturally if I ask for bread he will not give me a stone. (Matthew 7:9).  With HIM, all things are possible.( Matthew 19:26)  He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6) Yes, when the wind kicks up (and I see signs it will) and the waves start to roll, I WILL BE READY!  I’ll put on my armor (Ephesians 6:11-18)  and I’ll cling and SPEAK God’s promises and Hold on fearlessly, In FAITH!  Because He is with me on the boat.

When He is ready, He will calm the sea’s.  He is my Dramamine (RX) He is my everything.  He is all I need.

Ok, I’ve spoken and heard myself

Ciao

…….

Day 3

Key word or Phrase.  My experience tells me that there is tremendous power in a word or phrase. When repeated it brings strength and peace. How? Two reasons. One because it re-focuses your mind. Two, the word or phrase conjures up a belief or memory that you believe in and therefore it elicits comfort, peace and even strength. 

Recently my word has been “rollerskate”.  The word pulls out the memory of childhood freedom and an exhilarating pleasure as I glided down the sidewalks by my childhood home.  There is more to it than this imagery.  The scriptures say, Matthew 18:3 “Very I say unto you, unless ye become as a little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven”.  Yes, Our Faith!  Trusting God just as a little child trust their parent to take care of all their needs, and even some wants too.  

So, when the symptoms of anxiety or fear begin to well up within me (and trust me, sometimes we don’t even recognize the trigger that releases these emotions) I just say “ROLLERSKATE” like as if it’s a weapon to shoot down the negative feelings. Or, ok… like a magic wand to wave it away.  It works!

Prior to my coming up with my Key word “Rollerskate” The scripture came to me found while  in a desperate state of fear and anxiety, it was “ALL GOOD”.  Yes, the scripture Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.  

Oh my it was some moments of tears and rocking back and forth saying out loud… “ALL GOOD, ALL GOOD” and redirecting my mind to this scripture as fear wanted to overtake me as to what laid ahead. The thought behind the words was what ever happens I choose to believe it will be ALL GOOD for the Glory of God. A testimony to God’s healing, goodness, mercy and grace in our lives. 

Last night again, (and for the past few days)…. I  woke in the middle of the night.  Not sure if my dreaming prompted a portal for fear to enter into my mind but I woke with the sick feeling in my stomach and thoughts of events going sideways.  I fought it by saying “JOY”.  Yes, Joy which in Sunday school as a little girl was taught to stand for : Jesus, Others, You.   “JOY”, synonymous for Jesus, but in a beautiful prism of colorful lights.  You see, we fight a spiritual battle for our mind.  The devil wants to defeat us and our mind is where he attacks.  Yes, to rob us of our JOY. To pull us down to the pit of hopeless, helpless, thoughts. Ok, now “refocus” (a conscious thoughtful choice) and think, as I did,  about the fact that we serve a powerful God. The God of the Universe. A God who is a God of Love.  So much so that in order for us to have a relationship with him as like a child,  he sacrificed his own Son to pay the penalty for our sins.  All we have to do is accepted him as our Savior and we’ll live for eternity in His Presence of Love.  Oh my that is pure joy.  So with eternity in our hearts and mind, we should live and breath pure JOY.  Yes, a joyful rollerskating life. But Ahhhh we’re still living and breathing a fleshly life on earth, in  an unfair sinful world.  The sin of the world brought sickness, injury, sorrow and death that separates us from our loved ones.  But again… pull out the scripture: Romans 8:31 telling us we have the victory over death, sickness, trials, troubles.  We are more than conquerors because of Christ. 

So again, how do we face life’s unfair events?  With Christ.  With his promises, With Scripture, With Faith, With JOY.  There is a marvelous song “Center of my Joy” https://youtu.be/Mq6hprGOxpY

So as I face an upcoming event that leaves me at times breathless, when in my flesh I have thoughts of an outcome that can be “unfair”, I quickly “respond” by saying:  “ROLLERSKATE”  yes, my Heavenly Father has heard my cry and I trust He has a plan for GOOD.,  Yes,  “ALL GOOD”.  All things work together for our GOOD.  So  …be full of  “JOY” .  Yes, will not be robbed today of walking and singing a Joyful and  grateful song unto the Lord.  I am to be a witness (Influencer) to those around me.  I choose for those around me to see the strength, peace and JOY of the Lord that I choose to have rule my mind, heart and soul.  

Ok, time to go rollerskate!

Ciao

…………………

 So, I keep thinking about writing a book.  Haha… just an idea! However, I just realized I have a blog, so what I have to say can be written here.  Why not?  Maybe you ask me what is the book about? Thank you for asking…. The word “Influencer” keeps coming to my mind.  Recently I was told that many of the YouTube bloggers are called “influencers”.  Well, that makes sense.  I can see how someone can create a vlog that creates a sense of “I want that or I want to do that or I want to go there, I want to eat that, I want I want I want.  Isn’t that the culture today?  It is the “I want it and I want it now”. 

Ok, I have to show this…

https://giphy.com/gifs/willy-wonka-and-the-chocolate-factory-dont-care-veruca-salt-vO8F4fYQd39h6?utm_source=media-link&utm_medium=landing&utm_campaign=Media%20Links&utm_term=

It makes sense that there is an appetite for watching “others”  to see what they have and what they are doing.  The “others” become influencers.

This brings me back to a counseling session I had long ago (yes, I’m able to share that I have seen counselors).  Disclosure: I had stated that I almost never stop in the lady’s restroom to look at myself in the mirror. I mean to see check my make up make sure there isn’t spinach in my teeth, ya know.  The counselor had a curious look on her face.  I explained it seems so conceited to do so.  The counselor was eager to share that taking care of oneself and our appearance is important. Because we are influencers.  Yes, she said that.  We represent to others “who we are”. Who am I?  I am a child of the living God.  I am to be Christlike and be a witness of the one who created me.  So, again… how someone see’s me and my life is NOT about ME but what I represent.  

Back to why in the past year I’ve given a lot of thought since hearing about  Vloggers being influencers. Yes, to my family and friends I am actually an influencer.  In fact you are too, even if ya don’t know it.

Ok, I think I may start blogging  a book.  

Salute! 

 It’s been quite a while since I last blogged. Just thinking about…

Have you ever asked the question “Who am I”? Or maybe “what is life all about”?

Maybe you’ve ask “why me?”.  To all those question I would ask “where do have you look for the answer”? 

It’s really not so complicated. Yet I see and hear people belabor their search for “self awareness”.

Ok, so you want to explore your type of personality: Perfectionist, people pleasing, driven, withdrawn.. etc. 

Ok, let me get the the point in my head (frightening)

1. Know who you are

2. Know what your purpose is

3. Know what your passionate about

4. Know your gifts/talents

5. Know where you are going

Remember what I said early, it’s not the questions you ask it’s were do you look for the answers.

Since this is my Blog I’ll tell you what I believe.  The answer to ALL questions must be found in truth.

The only truth that has stood the test of time is the Bible.  There I said it.  It has stood the test of time.  ALL answers are found in God’s word. 

Who you are:  A child of the living God who created the heavens and the earth

Your purpose: To please and bring Glory to the God of the Universe

Your Passion: Passionate about Loving God, being obedient to his Word, being joyful and Loving to all

Your Gifts and Talents:  That you can explore  (I know my talent is not signing…)

Your Path: All roads you take should have the destination of eternity with God

Seriously, why make things so complicated and so “all about you”.  When you know where to find the answers, you’ll have life abundantly and free. No matter what your circumstances are and what life has thrown in your path.  

Just Thinking